C.R. Bard, along with its subsidiary Davol Inc., was hit with a lawsuit alleging its Marlex Mesh caused a Pennsylvania woman to suffer from bowel injuries which required emergency surgery.
Plaintiff Caroline I. alleges that she was implanted with Marlex Mesh in 2003 as a part of a repair for an incisional hernia. In 2015, the plaintiff says that she went to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Doctors discovered a bowel obstruction and she was rushed to surgery. Upon removal of the blockage, alleges the plaintiff, the surgeon noted the bowel was densely adhered to the Marlex Mesh. This required an additional laparotomy to remove bowel and mesh.
“A pathology report reflected bowel resection with small intestine, increased fibrous and peri-intestinal soft tissue; mesh material with fibroadispose tissue with four embodied type giant cells and suture material,” states the lawsuit.
The plaintiff alleges that the Marlex Mesh she was implanted with was defective and caused her to need additional surgeries.
In fact, the plaintiff says that she learned after her emergency surgery that the Food and Drug Administration had recalled the mesh she was implanted with in 2007. C.R. Bard and their subsidiary were aware of hundreds of complaints about Maralex Mesh, alleges the lawsuit.
“The Marlex Mesh manufactured by Defendants had numerous defects which created a high risk of unreasonable and dangerous injuries and side effects with severe permanent adverse health consequences,” the plaintiff claims.
According to the lawsuit, these defects include:
- Failure to conform to the specifications of the product
- Migration of the mesh, adversely affecting surrounding tissues and patient health
- Adhesion to the bowel and other surrounding tissues and sutures
- Maralex Mesh recedes, causing dense adhesion to the bowel necessitating surgery to remove bowel and mesh
The mesh can become imbedded in the surrounding tissues, causing further damage and health implications.
“Defendants have underreported information about the propensity of Marlex Mesh, such as the defective type used in Plaintiff’s implant surgery, to fail and cause injury and complications, and have made unfounded representations to medical professionals, including Plaintiff’s healthcare providers, regarding the safety of Marlex Mesh,” alleges the plaintiff in her lawsuit.
The plaintiff is seeking compensation for the hernia mesh complications she suffered from the implantation and removal of the Maralex Mesh, as well as for future pain and suffering.
Hernia Mesh Problems
While Maralex Mesh has been recalled, many of those who had this mesh implanted a decade ago are unaware of the potential medical implications. Problems associated with defective hernia mesh include:
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Intestinal problems
- Skin problems
- Flu-like symptoms
Those who have had Maralex Mesh implanted and are suffering from any of the above symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.
Further, if you or a loved one have suffered medical complications from Maralex Mesh, consider contacting an experienced attorney.
The attorneys at McDonald Worley are currently investigating hernia mesh defects. Call today for a free case review..